Virtual & Onsite Consulting Services
Ensure that your school’s governance and operations support your mission.
We work together with your leaders, teachers, staff members, and students to understand your school’s unique needs, strengths, and challenges. We help you create a plan to help you meet your goals.
Your team can then put these mission-appropriate recommendations into action to achieve increased cash reserves, higher enrollment levels, and long-term stability. At the end of the day, we all have a singular purpose—advance school leadership to enrich the student experience.
We offer personalized consultations for many leadership divisions of a private school—the Board of Trustees, School Heads, the Business Office, the Development Office, Enrollment Management professionals, Marketing professionals, and Academic leaders. Select the area of school leadership you’d like to further explore.
ISM’s Consulting Services can be conducted virtually, ensuring you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. Learn more by contacting our School Success team.
Our Consulting Services
School Head
Whether you want to ensure that all school functions run at peak efficiency or are considering implementing new strategies and initiatives, lean on a trusted source of knowledge to increase the likelihood of long-term success.
Business & Operations
Take advantage of a full range of planning, facilities, and operations consulting services that give your school a solid footing for the future. Examine where your key operations work well, and where they can use improvement.
Academic Leadership
Your programs set your school apart. Explore how to create and build programs that pull families in and give them an experience they couldn’t have at another private-independent school.
Admission & Enrollment Management
ISM’s data-informed approach pinpoints what attracts families to your school and inspires them to stay. Receive customized solutions based on your school’s unique marketplace stance, challenges, and opportunities.
Fundraising & Development
Learn how to develop successful strategies to engage and bring donors closer to your institution. No matter your school size, history, or pedagogy, explore how to plan, implement, and evaluate your fundraising strategies to realize your full potential.
Marketing Communications
Explore how to share exceptional stories of student learning, engagement, and outcomes, and illustrate how these can become differentiators that distinguish your school from your competitors.
Board of Trustees
The Board must focus its efforts on governing, planning, and financing your school's future, while leaving everyday decisions to competent administrators. To do that successfully, your Board must think, plan, and act strategically.
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One-on-One Coaching for New Heads
Work with an ISM Consultant in your first years of Headship to set you on a path to success.
•Data-Driven Diagnostics •
• Coaching •
• Customized Support •
Help Your School Thrive
ISM members receive access to exclusive, research-based strategies for every leadership division of your school. Take advantage of guidance, savings, and much more.
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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Crisis Planning: How to Prepare for the Worst and a Sample Outline
Business and Operations // October 9, 2019
Whether due to lack of knowledge, time, or resources, many schools don’t have a comprehensive crisis plan in place. Use this outline as a template to create a crisis plan that your school leaders can implement, based on your school's unique needs.
Read MoreWhat Your Leadership Team Must Do Now to Prepare for Next Year’s Summer Program
School Heads // October 4, 2019
The fall season is when you should make the majority of your plans for next year’s summer program. Here’s how to lay out responsibilities for each of your Leadership Team divisions to support a successful offering next year.
Read MoreThree Benefits of Monthly Head Chats
School Heads // October 3, 2019
It can be hard for parents to feel like you’re connected to them and their children from behind your desk or through your school’s emails and social media posts. That’s why we suggest holding monthly “Head chats,” inviting parents to campus to have intimate discussions about topics that matter to them.
Read MoreActive Shooter Awareness: Regaining Control in the "New Normal"
Private School News // September 27, 2019
Active shooter trainings and programs to teach coping skills are not only part of our lives on campus, but also our personal lives. Many students, parents, teachers, and staff members deal with anxiety related to school shootings. We must regain control and find personal balance within this new normal.
Read MoreAvoid Setting Traps for Your Architect
Board of Trustees // September 25, 2019
As a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, you’re likely involved in any planning for new buildings and renovations on campus. Before you even hire an architect to carry out those plans, your school may make decisions that hinder the firm’s ability to bring the project to a successful conclusion.
Read MoreManaging Your Risks as a Trustee
Board of Trustees // September 24, 2019
You are, or have volunteered to be, a Trustee of your school. With this important role, come not only rewards and important responsibilities, but also certain risks of which you must be mindful.
Read MoreThree Things Every Scheduler Needs
Academic Leadership // September 18, 2019
The process of changing your schedule and processing students effectively isn’t always easy. Your schedulers require three key elements to make the adjustments necessary to best serve your students, faculty, and school as a whole.
Read MoreTips for More Efficient Time Management
Academic Leadership // September 17, 2019
Time is one of your most precious commodities. It can seem like there’s never enough of it to finish everything you need to do, and items on your to-do list continue to pile up. If you’re struggling with time management, here are some tips to ensure a productive and efficient year.
Read MoreSchool Spotlight: How Wichita Collegiate Raised $100,000 More From Donors
Advancement // September 13, 2019
Wichita Collegiate's leaders were able to use what they learned at ISM's learning events and raise $100,000 more over proposed asks, thanks to a personalized letter strategy and individualized solicitations.
Read MoreGetting to Know ISM’s Development Team: Michael Christopher
Advancement // September 12, 2019
We’re proud to share that Michael Christopher is joining ISM’s Development Team, effective January 1, 2020. In this role, he’ll continue to lead strategic planning and development workshops; author articles; advise Boards, school leaders and development offices; present at conferences; and oversee strategic planning and school consultations.
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